Kenyon College women come together in a work choreographed by Julie Brodie

GAMBIER, Ohio (September 3, 2004) Art can send a powerful message. Combine it with movement and words and the result can expand horizons. That was the motivation behind The Changing Room, a new dance performance set to make its debut this month at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio, and at Kenyon College.

The Changing Room will be performed Thursday, September 8, at 6:00 p.m. in the Palm Room at the conservatory. The event will be repeated Saturday, September 11, at 5:00 p.m. in the dance studio at Kenyon and Sunday, September 12, at 12:00 p.m. at the conservatory. The work is a collaboration between Assistant Professor of Dance Julie Brodie and Assistant Professor of Art Marcella Hackbardt, faculty members at Kenyon. The idea began when Hackbardt completed a series of panels that featured medical pictures of a mastectomy surrounded by images of butterflies and leaves on diaphanous fabric panels. The result was a traditionally feminine feel. Thinking that the panels needed movement, Hackbardt joined with Brodie to incorporate them into dance.

The project continued to grow through circles of friendship and collegiality. Brodie's idea of incorporating art, dance, and words exploring women's identity and transitional phases was expanded in discussion with other women on campus. Brodie sees The Changing Room as "a way to expand horizons."

Faculty members from the departments of dance, studio art, and sociology; Kenyon staff members; students; and faculty and staff children will be involved in the program.

The performance at Kenyon is free. Admission to the conservatory is $6.50 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, $3.50 for children ages two through 12, and free for children under two.